Toccata to perform Handel's Messiah

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The Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus's seventh annual production of Handel's Messiah will take place in five locations.

Messiah was first performed in Dublin, Ireland on March 23, 1742 and was conducted by its composer. It continues to be a masterpiece that has left audiences in awe for 272 years. The Toccata production is a celebration of the holidays and includes not only favorite selections from Messiah Parts 1 and 3, but also seasonal carols that the audience will be most welcome to join in singing.

The first performance will be held Friday at 7 p.m. at the CVIC Hall in Minden, and Toccata will be joined by the madrigal singers from Douglas High School conducted by Bill Zabelsky. Other performances will take place Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. in Trinity Church, 200 Island Ave., Reno; and at Dec. 16 at 3 p.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 1041 Lyons Ave. in South Lake Tahoe. For these two performances, Toccata will be joined by the SageRidge Treble Choir directed by Richard Hutton.-

On Dec. 19, Messiah will be performed at St. Patrick's Episcopal Church in Incline Village at 7 p.m.

The final concert will be held Dec. 23 at 3 p.m. at the Resort at Squaw Creek in the Olympic Valley.

The Messiah series marks the completion of Toccata's seventh season. Joining the Toccata Orchestra and Chorus for this production are soloists Joy Strotz, and Anna Helwing, sopranos; Stephanie Dixon, mezzo soprano, and Stuart Duke and Gary Schwartz, baritones. The Toccata Chamber Orchestra features Erika Devins as concertmaster; David Brock, Tracy Beaver and Nick Haines as-continuo; and Mark Lord, Josh Dunlap and Don Fife on Baroque trumpets.

All performances will be conducted by Maestro James Rawie.--

Tickets cost $25 for adults, $20 for seniors age 62 and older, and $5 for students ages 19-23. Preferred and reserved seating is available for $35 and can be reserved online. A grant from the Tahoe Parasol Foundation allows youth under 18 to enter at no charge. Tickets can be purchased in advance by credit card at www.toccatatahoe.com or at the door by cash or check 30 minutes prior to the concert. This concert series is supported by a grant from the Kling Family Foundation.-